Dispensing device



June 117, 1924.

R. M CONKLIN 'DISPEN9ING DEVICE Filed June 6, 192] 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q a gam ATTO R N EY M w l lll ll 1 a Y J x June17, 1924. 1,497,772

R. M. CONKLIN DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 6, 1921 2 syheetshet 2 ,l mm

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f 5* f) I I J P 1 I f INVEN QM .c L. BY

ATTORNEY Patented alune I7, 1924.

outrun STATES ROBERT M. CONKLIN, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

DISPENSING DEVICE.

Application filed June 6,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Bt it known that I. ROBERT M. CoNKLIN, a citizen of the United States. and resident of Jersey City. in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dispensing Devices. of which the following is a specification.

, The invention relates in general to a device for dispensing measured amounts of substance in solid form such as a powder, and the invention particularly relates to those types of such devices which are designed to dispense powder of the character which is apt to cohere or stick. such for instance. as the milk powder or malted milk commonly dispensed at soda-fountains.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple form of dispensing device of the type outlined, which will positively and accurately dispense a definite amount of the powder at each actuation of .the device, without loss. and which will so function independently of the rapidity with which the device is operated andindependently of any material lapse of time since the prior actuation.

A prevailing objection to devices of this character now on the market is-that they 'do not lend themselves readily to a cleaning operation: the contained powderis apt to organization of necessary actuating mecha nism and contalned parts dls'posed and as sembled in such manner that all component parts of the device can be rapidly and con- 'venientl y demounted and in this way prowhich come in contact with the powder to be dispensed.

Accordingly the invention features in addition to simplicity of construction, a read? demountability of the parts and the provi 1921. Serial No. 415.191.

ing of wide openings to the parts which contain the powder to be dispensed and the 10- eating of as-much of the actuating mechanism as possible in a housing distinct from the powder passageways and necessary dispensing mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of agitator for insuring the positive feeding of the'powder, even when caked, to the dispensing mechanism and incidentally toinsure the confinement of the powder in a closed receptacle free from the caking action of the external air. a

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious from an inspection of the accompanying drawings and in part will be more fully set forth in the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying my invention. and the invention also consists in certain new and novel features of construction and combination -of parts-hereinafter set forth and claimed,

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is'a vertical transverse sectional view taken axially through a preferred embodiment of the invention showing parts broken awa and otherpa-rts'in elevation;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the parts partiallv in side elevation looking at the same'froni the right hand side of Figure 1 and with parts taken on the vertical sectional line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectionail view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 an Figure 4 is a detail of the valve locking device taken .on the line 4='--4 of F igure 1.

In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience of expression but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. o

In the drawings there is shown abroad spreadin base 10 from which extends upwardly a standard -11 with the upper-end turned laterally as shown in Fig. 2 to form a horizontal support 12. This sup ort is hollowencasement 13. The encasement is in the form of a metal casting andis dei and constituting an end bearing for limiting tending powder conducting passageway 15 opened at top and bottom and is also provided with a transversely extending horizontally disposed passageway 16 also opened at opposite ends when free of the attached parts.

The upper portion of the passageway 15 is enlarged to a funnel shape and constitutes a reservoir for the powder or other substance to be dispensed. The upper edge of the reservoir 16 is internally threadedas shown at 17 to receive the lower, open end of .a jar 18, preferably of glass, which jar is also open at the top so as to permit a ready cleaning of the same. The open top of the jar is designed to be closed when in use by means of a conventional form of stopper 19, and is preferably formed with an air tight fit to prevent the entrance of air to the powder at the upper end, of the powder passageway.

The lower end of the'passageway 15 within the encasement is constructed to form a discharge funnel 20 and between -the funnel and the reservoir 15 the encasement is designed in a general cylindrical form to form a valve casing 21. The horizontally extendpassageway 16 extends through the va ve casing and is outlined at opposite ends by means-of cylindrical bosses 22 and 23 which project beyond the outlines of' the powder passageway as shown in Fig.1. The

inner ends of the bosses are smooth and constitute bearings for opposite ends of a cylindrical form of measuring valve 24. The measuring valve is provided intermediate its bearing ends 25 with a pair of measuring pockets 26 and 27 disposed 180 apart considered circumferentially of the horizontal axis of rotation of the valve and the pockets are designed so that when one of the pockets, such as the pocket 26, is opened to the reservoir 16, the opposite pocket 27 is in a depending position facing the discharge funnel 20 all as more particularly shown in Figure 2. It will be understood from this construction that the valve is journalled in and is supported directly on the encasementand is not supported by its actuating shaft hereinafter more particularly described. The boss 22 is closed by means of a closing cap 28 screwed into the outer end of the boss 22 the movement of the valve in one direction.

' Preferably the outer face of the plug 28 is recessed so as to provide a concaved finger of the opening 16 and limits the axial movement of the valve in the opposite direction.

The outer end of the plug 30 is provided with a substantially circular plate 31 secured to the back wall 32 of a machine en ,closing housing 33 constituting an extension from one side of the encasement. The plate 31 is demountably secured in position by means of screws 34 accessible from the front of the housingwhen its cover is removed. The valve 24 is secured by means of a key 35 to the inner end of a valve shaft 36 which valve shaft extends through, and is journalled in, the bearing provided by the plug 30.

The shaft 36 is provided adjacent its outer end with a spacing collar 37 abutting which is an agitating gear 38 having a hub 39 which collar and hub are secured to the shaft by screws 40. Forming a part of the hub and defining the outer end of the shaft is a dual tooth ratchet 41 for rotating the shaft. The hub 39 is provided with two oppositely disposed fiat faces 42 and 43 (see Figure 4) which faces are engaged by a pair of flat springs 44 and 45 and the parts are so arranged that the springs engaging'the fiat portions of the hub tend to retard the movement of the valve as it is rotated to bring the pockets into their operative position shown in Figure 2.

In dispensing such substances as malted milk and other powders which are liable to cake and stick, it is necessary to provide some form of agitator to break up the particles as they flow to the measuring valve. For this purpose there is provided an oscillatory agitator mounted in the encasement for agitating the flow of substance as it passes along its passageway from the jar 18 practically up to the point of discharge into the measuring valve. The agitator includes a rocking shaft 45 journalled at opposite ends in the encasement and extending diametrically across the .passageway 15 just above the measuring valve. The shaft is provided with a plurality of relatively long upwardly extending fingers 46 which project above the encasement and into the jar. The shaft is also provided with a series of relatively short fingers 47 w icli extend downward in the passageway 1 almost but not quite into contact with the rotating 'ment therewith of the diametrically extending rock arms 49 forming the agitating gear valve. The rock shaft is agitated .tion of the powder passageway.

38. The rock shaft and atttached fingers are moved in the opposite direction into their initial normal position by means of a spring 50 engaging the rack 48 at one side of its axis.

The measuring valve is rotated and the agitator rocked through the agency of a manually actuated lever 51, which is pivotally mounted on a pin 52 carried by a cover 53 for the casing 33. The lever is provided with a one-way acting pawl 54 controlled by a spring 55 and designed to engage with the dual tooth ratchet to move the same 180 with each complete actuation of the lever 51. The lever is returned to its normal position, disposed to bring the pawl into operative engagement with the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet by means of a relatively strong return spring 56. By this construction it is seen that the removal of the cover will carry with it the lever and pawl together with their controlling springs, thus permitting ready access to the screws 34 and should it be desired to demount the ratchet and bearing plug 30.

In operation. and assuming that the parts are in the position shown in the drawings and that there isa receptacle, shown in dotted outlines in Figure 2, in position to receive the discharge from the funnel 20, the

device is ready for operation. The operator presses down on the lever 51 which causes the previously filled upper pocket 26, shown in Figure 2, to rotate anti-clockwise into the position to discharge its contents through the funnel 20 and at the same time to bring the previously lower pocket 27 into the upper position shown at 26 in Figure 2. During this actuation the upper rock arm 49, shown in Figure 3 will-act through the rack gear to'rock the shaft over an angle of about 30, thus moving the upper fingers 46 in one direction and the lower fingers 47 in the opposite direction as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2., This peculiar wiggling movement of the agitator arms will act effectively to break up any part of the powder which may tend to stick in the upper por- As the gear arm 49 passes the segmental rack the spring 50 reacts on the rack to move the fingers of the agitator in the opposite direction and thus further tend to loosen the particles as they flow into the empty pocket of the measuring valve. With the completion of the down stroke of the actuating lever 51 the lowermost rack arm is moved into the position previously occupied by the upper arm, and the device is again ready for a succeeding actuation. Releasing manual tension on the lever permits the spring 56 to react on the lever and return the free handle end of thesame to its elevated, normal position shown in Figure 3 ready for the succeeding actuation.

When it is desired to clean the device the plug 28 is unscrewed and the valve shifted to the left and clear of the shaft 36. after which the jar may be unscrewed and there is thus provided a clear, straight vertical passageway through the encasement without any necessity of removing the actuating mechanism or opening its containing casing. This demounting of the valve and jar will be ample for the usual cleaning. However, should it be desired to thoroughly clean all parts. the coven53 is removed, the screws 48 withdrawn and the plug 30, together with its associated parts are removed to the right from the showing in Figure 1 thus providing a clear horizontal passageway 16 through the valve-casing, permitting access to all parts of the interior of the encasement. By removing the pin 14, the encasement as a whole can be removed from the standard 11 and the encasement and jar placed in hot water or other cleansing solu tion without danger of rusting the mechanical parts. After the cleaning the parts may be rapidly remounted and this remounting can be effected by the unskilled labor at the soda fountain.

While I have shown and described, and have pointed out in the annexed claims, certain novel features of my invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described 'my invention, I

claim 1. In a devlce for dispensing measured amounts of a powder, the comblnatlon of an measuring valve mounted in said casing for rotary movement about a horizontal axis, said encasement provided with an open-top powder containing reservoir, discharging into said valve, and also provided with a plugs for closing the outer ends of the ex-.

encasement constituting a valve casing, a

tensions and for limiting end play of the valve.

2. In a device for dispensing measured amounts of a powder. the combination of an encasement constituting a valve casing, a measuring valve mounted in said casing for rotary movement about a horizontal axis, said encasement provided with an open-top powder containing reservoir, discharging into said valve, and also provided with a discharge funnel leading from said valve, the wall of said receptacle provided with meansjfor receiving the open bottom of a jar. the portion of said encasement constituting the valve casing provided with outwardly extending extensions disposed in alignment and constituting bearings for opposite ends of the valve, plugs for closing the outer ends of the extensions and for limiting the end play of the valve, a shaft for rotating the valve mounted in one of said end plugs and manually actuated meansexternal to saidend plugs 'for rotating the shaft. 1

3. In a device for dispensing powder, the combination of an encasement provided with a vertically extending conduit, opened at opposite ends and provided with means adjacent the upper end for receiving a container of-the powder to be dispensed, said encasement provided with a pair of oppositely disposed openings, a rotary measuring valve for controlling the movement of the powder through said conduit, journalled at opposite ends in said openings, readily removable means for closing said openings and for limiting end movement of the valve, a valve shaft extending through one of the removable means to the exterior of the encasement,

mechanism connected to the exposed end of the shaft for controlling the valve, and an enclosing casing for the mechanism permitting direct access to the openings when the valveand closing means are removed therefrom. 4

4. In a device for dispensing measured amounts of a powder, the combination of an encasement provided with a vertically extending conduit opened at top and bottom, and having spaced apart valve bearings on opposite sides thereof, a cylindrical measuring valve having its ends mounted in said bearings for rotary movement about a horizontal axis extending across the conduit, said valve provided between the bearing ends with a powder measuring recessadapted, in one osition of the valve, to face and receive a c arge of powder from the upper part of the conduit and in another position to discharge its contents from the encase-l ment through the bottom of the conduit and manually actuated mechanism external of the encasement for rotating said valve from its pow er receiving into its discharging positlon.

5. In a device for dispensing measured amounts-of a powder, the combination of an encasement provided with a vertically ex-' tending conduitopened at top and bottom, and having spaced apart valve bearings on opposite sides thereof, acylindrical measuring valve having its ends mounted in said bearings for rotary movement about a hOI'lzontal axis extending across the conduit, said valve provided between the bearing ends with a powder measuring recess adapted, in one position of the valve, to face and receive a charge of powder from the upper part of the conduit and in another position to discharge its contents from the encasement through the bottom of the conduit,

tending opening constituting a powder conducting passageway and an intersecting horizontal y disposed and cylindrical form of opening extending therethrough coacting permit the valve to be withdrawn axially in either direction and .readily removable means for securing the valve in place whereby with the valve removed access is provided to all parts of the valve casing and connectin parts of the owder assageway.

In a device for'dis pensing measured amounts of a powder, the combination with a casing provided with a funnel leading through the upper side of the casing, said casing provided with a discharge port opening through the underside thereof, a cylindrical valve mounted in said-casing for rotary movement about its axis and provided with a pair of recesses on opposlte sides thereof located to bring one of the recesses opposite the funnel when the other recess is facing the discharge port and means interposing a resistance to a continued rotation of the valve as the recesses pass the funnel.

including a segmental rack, a rack arm mounted on the valve for rotary movement therewith and adapted to engage said segmental rack, a manually actuated lever, a

pawl and ratchet drive between the lever and the valve to actuate the same together with the agitating means and means for restoring the movable parts to a normal position when the manual tension is removed from the lever.

10. In a device for dispensing measured amounts of a powder, the combination with a rotating valve shaft and a rocking agitator shaft provided with a segmental rack, a mutilated gear actuating from said valve shaft, said gear adapted to engage said segmental rack periodically to rock the agitator shaft in one direction and a drive for rotating the valve shaft and mutilated gear.

11. In a device for dispensing measured amounts of a powder, the combination with a rotating valve shaft and a rocking agitator shaft provided with a segmental rack, a mutilated gear actuated from said valve shaft,

' said gear adapted to enga e said segmental controlling shaft, means controlled rack periodically to rock t e agitator shaft in one direction, means for rotating the valve shaft and mutilated gear .and a sprin engaging the segmental rack and acting t ereon to return the same to its normal position when free of the mutilated gear.

12. In a device of the class described the combination of a valve controlling shaft, mounted for rotary movement, an a itatlor t e rotary movement of the valve shaft fd r oscillating the agitator shaft over an angle less than 180 and manually actuated means for rotating the valve shaft.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a valve controlling shaft mounted for rotary movement, an agitator controlling shaft, means controlled by the rotar movement of the valve shaft for oscillating the agitator shaft over an angle less than 180, a manually actuated lever and a drivin connection between the lever and valve s aft.

14. In a device of the class described, a valve casing provided with a rotating measuring valve having two operative positions 180 apart considered circumferentially of the valve and having a valve shaft projecting therefrom, a dual-tooth ratchet on the projecting part of the shaft, a manually aetuated lever and a pawl successively engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet for moving the same and thus moving the valve 180 I on each complete actuation of the lever.

15. In a evice of the class described, a valve casing rovided with a rotating measuring valve aving two operative positions 180 apart considered circumferentially of the valve and having a valve shaft projecting therefrom, a dual-tooth ratchet on the projecting part of the shaft, a manually actuated lever and a pawl successively engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet for moving the same and thus moving the valve 180 on each complete actuation of the lever, and means acting on the lever to return the same idly to its initial position and with the pawl in operative engagement with the other tooth.

16. In a device ofthe class described, a valve casing rovided with a rotating measuring valve aving two operative positions 180 apart considered circumferentially of the valve, a dual-tooth ratchet secured to the valve to rotate the same, a manually actuated means successively engagin one of the teeth of the ratchet for moving t e same and thus moving the valve 180 on each complete actuation of said means and a stop for insuring the stopping of the valve as it rotates into its succeeding operative positions.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a measuring valve mounted for rotary movement about a horizontal axis and provided with a plurality of measuring pockets circumferentially spaced apart, a bearing for supporting the valve, a one-way ratchet for rotating the valve and provided with a number of teeth corresponding to the number of pockets, a manually actuated lever having a pawl operatively connected to the ratchet to move the same with a step-bystep motion to bring the pockets in the valve successively into an upper position.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a measuring valve mounted for rotary movementabout ahorizontal axis and provided with a plurality of measuring pockets circumferentially spaced apart, a bearing for supporting the valve, a shaft extending axially from the valve, a one-way ratchet secured to the shaft and provided with a number of teeth corresponding to the number of pockets, a removab e element provided with a manually actuated lever having a pawl o eratively connected to the ratchet to move t .e same with a step-by-step motion to bring the pockets in the valve successively into an upper position and means for insuring the stopping 'of the valve as each pocket reaches its uppermost position.

19. In a device for dispensing solid particles, the combination of a verticall extending conduit for the particles, a sha mounted for a rocking movement and extending diametrically across the conduit, agitating fingers projecting from said shaft for breaking up any caking of the particles as they move along the conduit, manually actuated means for rocking the shaft in one direction and sprin controlled means for rocking the shaft in t e opposite direction.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 2nd day of June, A. D. 1921.

ROBERT M. CONKLIN. 

